Lexipedia - Process for the people - charlottesville

01_starting_a_business

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:04+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 01 -> Starting a Business in Charlottesville Governed by Chapter 14 (Licenses) and Chapter 34 (Zoning). All businesses operating in Charlottesville must obtain a Business License from the Commissioner of Revenue. Additional steps apply depending on business type, location, and whether signage is needed.

02_building_permit

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:04+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 02 -> Building Permit Process Governed by Chapter 5 (Building Regulations; Property Maintenance). Any new construction, addition, structural repair, or change of occupancy requires a building permit reviewed by the Building Inspections Division of NDS. Projects in historic districts additionally require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) before a permit can be issued.

03_electrical_permit

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:05+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 03 -> Electrical Permit & Lamp / Fixture Installation Governed by Chapter 5 (Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code / NEC) and Chapter 28 (Streets and Sidewalks) for public right-of-way work. Fixtures in Historic Overlay Districts require BAR review. All electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician and pass final inspection before energizing.

04_zoning_variance_sup

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:05+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 04 -> Zoning Variance & Special Use Permit Governed by Chapter 34 (Zoning). A variance is heard by the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) under § 34-156 when strict application of zoning regulations would cause undue hardship. A Special Use Permit (SUP)

05_subdivision

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:06+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 05 -> Subdivision of Land Governed by Chapter 29 (Subdivision of Land). Subdivisions require plat review by NDS, coordination with utility providers, and in some cases public hearing before the Planning Commission. Key links: * Chapter 29 — Subdivision of Land (Municode) ----------

06_sign_permit

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:06+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 06 -> Sign Permit Process Governed by Chapter 34, Article XI (Signs), §§ 34-1040 et seq. All permanent exterior signs require a Sign Permit from NDS. Signs in Historic Overlay Districts also require BAR review. Regulations cover maximum size, illumination, placement, and number of signs by zoning district.

07_bar_coa

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:06+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 07 -> Board of Architectural Review (BAR) — Certificate of Appropriateness Governed by Chapter 34, Article IV (Historic Preservation), §§ 34-278 et seq. Any exterior change to a structure or site in a Historic Overlay District — including new construction, demolition, alterations, and signage — requires a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the BAR before any building permit can be issued. The BAR meets monthly; applications are due 1…

08_water_stormwater

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:07+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 08 -> Water Protection / Stormwater Governed by Chapter 10 (Water Protection) and Chapter 31 (Utilities). Land-disturbing activities over 2,500 sq ft require a Stormwater Management Plan review. Connection to city water and sewer requires permits from the Utilities Department.

09_solid_waste

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:07+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 09 -> Solid Waste & Recycling Governed by Chapter 26 (Solid Waste). Rules apply to refuse collection schedules, illegal dumping, containers, and commercial hauler licensing. Key links: * Chapter 26 — Solid Waste (Municode) ----------

10_special_events

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:08+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 10 -> Amusements & Special Events Governed by Chapter 3 (Amusements). Temporary events on public property, outdoor concerts, and commercial amusements require permits from the City. Contact the City Manager's Office for large event coordination.

11_city_market

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:08+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 11 -> City Market Vendors Governed by Chapter 8 (City Market). Vendors at the City Market (Water Street) must obtain a vendor license and comply with the Market's product and display rules. Key links: * Chapter 8 — City Market (Municode) * City Market

12_special_sales

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:08+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 12 -> Special Sales (Yard Sales, Going-Out-of-Business) Governed by Chapter 27 (Special Sales). Yard sales and temporary sales events have notice and frequency requirements. Going-out-of-business sales require a license. Key links:

13_streets_row

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:09+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 13 -> Streets & Sidewalks — Encroachments & Right-of-Way Permits Governed by Chapter 28 (Streets and Sidewalks). Work in the public right-of-way — including utility cuts, sidewalk repairs, trees, and lamp/fixture installation — requires a Right-of-Way Permit from Public Works.

14_vehicles_for_hire

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:09+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 14 -> Vehicles for Hire (Taxis, TNCs) Governed by Chapter 32 (Vehicles for Hire). Operators of taxis, rideshares, and limousines must obtain a City permit and meet insurance requirements. Key links: * Chapter 32 — Vehicles for Hire (Municode) ----------

15_taxes

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:10+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 15 -> Business & Property Taxes Governed by Chapter 30 (Taxation). Charlottesville levies a Business, Professional, and Occupational License (BPOL) tax, real estate tax, personal property tax, and lodging tax. Returns are due by March 1 each year for the prior year's gross receipts.

16_animals

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:10+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 16 -> Animal Regulations Governed by Chapter 4 (Animals and Fowl). All dogs and cats must be licensed annually. Rules apply to leash requirements, dangerous animals, livestock, and keeping of exotic animals. Key links: * Chapter 4 — Animals and Fowl (Municode) * SPCA of Charlottesville / Albemarle

17_noise

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T14:21:11+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process 17 -> Noise Control Governed by Chapter 16 (Noise Control). Noise ordinance establishes daytime and nighttime decibel limits and quiet hours. Construction noise, amplified music, and mechanical equipment are all regulated. Key links:

common_review_spine

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T15:04:21+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Shared Sub-Process -> Common Review Procedures (Spine, Dev Code 5.2.1) Governed by Chapter 34, Article 5, Div. 5.2.1 (Common Review Procedures). This is the reusable application-intake spine shared by every approval process in Article 5 Div. 5.2 and Article 6 (Subdivision), per 5.2.1.A. Other process diagrams invoke it through a BPMN

foia

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-03-19T13:57:44+00:00

FOIA — Freedom of Information Act ← Back to Charlottesville Process Guide This page documents the full workflow for Virginia FOIA — both requesting records as a citizen and responding to requests as city staff. All processes are grounded in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, §§ 2.2-3700 through 2.2-3715

zoning_map_amendment

Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) — 2026-07-01T15:04:22+00:00

<- Charlottesville Regulatory Process Guide | Process (Zoning & Land Use) -> Zoning Map Amendment / Rezoning (Dev Code 5.2.5) Governed by Chapter 34, Article 5, Div. 5.2.5 (Zoning Map Amendment). A rezoning may be initiated by City Council, the Planning Commission, or an owner/agent/contract purchaser with the owner's written consent (5.2.5.B.1). The process runs through a pre-application conference (5.2.5.B.2.a, waivable), the shared intake spine, staff report to the Planning Commission, opti…